National Animal Disease Traceability Program Necessary to Protect Animal Health, States AVMA

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) applauds the release of the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) proposed rule on animal disease traceability and affirms its support for a collaborative, transparent and flexible rule for establishing traceability to protect the health of our nation's herds and flocks.

"We commend the collaborative approach taken by USDA-APHIS to develop this proposed rule and look forward to providing our comments," states Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA. "From a veterinary perspective, preventing and controlling the spread of infectious disease is paramount to protecting our nation's herds and flocks and maintaining a safe food supply.

"While the rule has yet to be finalized, the AVMA will continue to be an active voice for veterinarians and will work with the USDA to ensure that the final rule provides for an effective animal disease traceability system while minimizing the burden on those responsible for its implementation," Dr. DeHaven says.

For more information, please visit www.avma.org.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association